"You misunderstand me, farmer." Cuaglar said in an explanatory way.  "I have no wish to 'tussle' with the local roughs.  One, it would cause trouble in a town where we don't want any, and two, they would get soundly trounced, and howl for vengeance, and we would never have peace in Yartar again."

Zyphen nods.  "This is wisdom.  A quieter place is better.  Nothing stops us from visiting the common rooms of the other inns, if our colorful mark decides that 'justice' must be pursued by seeking rumors from the river-men."

Zyphen will quietly see to his horse, taking his bags inside to make certain they are not stolen.  Murmuring in Auren to Snow, his owl, he will set her free to hunt; she knows to return in the morning to look for him.  Zyphen will then acquire a room next to Rook's.  After his room is arranged and locked, he will go to the common room, find a shadowy corner where his back is to the wall and he can see the door and the stairs up to the inn rooms, and sit quietly, watching for suspicious people.

However, he certainly does not seek out any rumors of adventure.  If he had his way, it would be straight back to Llork with his do-gooder mark.  If Atalakis insists on trampsing off to one of the rowdier inns or some other such folly, Zyphen will silently follow to ensure that no harm comes to the paladin.

"Oh, I understand Cuaglar, those human roughs look pretty mean.  I'd be frightened of them too, if I was in your shoes.  You know how they feel about elves ...  Don't worry about it, if we go to the Harvest Sheaf they shouldn't bother us there."

At Corven's mention of the word, 'frightened,' Cuaglar's face remained fixed, but his eyes suddenly blazed with wrath, then died down again, like a suddenly leaping candle in a draft.
"I am not frightened of them, Corven.  I merely have more important things to do than possibly spending the night, or month, in some human prison."

"Oh, I understand, don't worry about it.  We'll be safe at the Harvest Sheaf, they won't be able to find us there."  Corven will follow everyone towards the inn, leading his faithful horse Tacky.  "Don't worry Tacky, those nasty-looking humans won't be able to frighten you once we get to the Harvest Sheaf."

The Harvest Sheaf is easy enough to find; it's sign a bound sheaf of wheat in bright yellow paint.  The baker's recommendation seems accurate enough.  The inn is considerably smaller than the Ferryman's Pull and your animals will all but fill it's stables, but the serving-boy on duty is quick and attentive.

Inside, the air is stuffy and warm.  There is clean straw on the floor.  There are relatively few patrons at the moment, it being too early for most.  Those present seem more like travellers and traders than townsfolk.  The room is dominated by a mountain of a woman ensconced behind the bar.  Her blonde hair, fading to grey, is piled high in a severe bun from which strands are constantly escaping.  She's joking with one of the customers and her laugh fills the room.

Cuaglar waited until the laughter died down from the joke, not wanting to interrupt.  When the moment presented itself, he approached the bar and said,
"Excuse me, ma'am.  Could my friends and I have a bottle of one of your finest wines?"

The young man follows the group into the dining area and sit amongst them.  He appears to be a little bit nervous about the new environment, but the nervousness is quickly forgotten as the atmosphare of the inn is pretty cozy, and been a while for him to actually smell the cooking of homemade food.

He gives a curious quick glances here and there to other patrons of the place, measuring them up, as his stomach growls with hunger.

[Private to DM Fletch: So, any chance my character saw any interesting looking stores on the way here?  I'm interested in place to pick up spells, as mentioned, along with a horse.

Also, who are the other patrons?  Is there a Dwarven Cleric amongst them? <laugh>]
-K

"A bottle of wine, why, of course, de...  Oh my, an elf!"  The woman seems startled for a moment, but recovers quickly.  "I'm sorry, dear, I didn't mean to be rude.  It's just we don't get many elves in here.  I'm not sure what we'll have that will suit your palate, but curse my hospitality if I can't at least try."

"We have a 1370 High Hill Chardonnay and a 1367 Kepler's Vale Shiraz if my memory serves, which it usually does, dear."  The woman laughs heartily but she looks at you closely as she continues.  "But they're not cheap.  The High Hill is ten gold and the Shiraz twenty, and I won't open them unless you're buying the bottle, mind."

The patrons here are unremarkable (and human).  There are a mix of people in plain but serviceable work clothes and a few in traveller's garb.  There are no dwarven clerics to be seen :P

Cuaglar blinked with slight incomprehension.  He had never heard of those vintages.  Back in Silverymoon, elven wine needed no fancy names.  Elf wine was good enough as it was.  And twenty gold coins seemed like a rip-off to him.
"Er... Is there some kind of economic trouble your town is going through, to have your goods at such an extravagant cost?" Cuaglar asked, nervously tapping his gloved fingers on the bar.

Atalakis strolls into the common room, his short hair still damp from the bath he had just taken. His clothes were neat and clean and his armor once again polished to a mirror sheen, though it had been well-kept before. He made his way to the table where the others were sitting, smiling a smile that literally sparkled, as he eased himself into his seat.

Ah, the wonders of a bath. It is a joy to be clean once more. I am much more imposing figure of righteousness when not encrusted with dirt and grime.



He says, as he adjusts himself to a comfortable position in the chair, his hands smoothing his pastel blue tabard as he does so.

I do hope you all find time to bathe as well. It is of great import, not only for our noses, but for or reputation! The bards do not sing well of disheveled adventurers.

But, I digress...

I could not help but overhear your conversation about the price of wines in this quaint town. Could it be their economy is in shambles due to the some great terror threatening the populace? Could the town be overrun with crime that urges the local vendors to hike up the prices on wine to pay dues to the criminal network??

Perhaps this is a sign from Sune that her Pastel Champion has some great works to do here...

We must investigate further. Let us eat and then we can proceed to learn what we can from the citizens of Yartar. We might even have to visit one of those seedier establishments for more news... Perhaps we will find grave news, which would be most unfortunate, were I not hear to see that good triumphs.

Atalakis will proceed to eat a meal and will talk with the server and any others whom look knowledgeable. If the others agree, he will lead them in the direction of any other rumors of nefarious deeds, be they to seedy bars, or other locations, and will use his diplomatic skills to gain as much information as possible.

11:33, Today: Atalakis rolled 26 using 1d20+10. Diplomacy.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:15, Mon 24 Sept 2007.

"Or could it be that it is just good wine?" Zyphen interjects sarcastically. "Evil does not lurk under every rock and cloud, paladin.  Conjuring up criminal networks from the price of a wine bottle seems as far-fetched as a hot north wind.  It is more likely that the elf simply underestimated the depth and breadth of this woman's wine cellar.  In the deserts of Calimport, 20 gold for a bottle of fine wine is counted cheap."

Zyphen shakes his head.  "I have no doubt that you will dig up something to smite in this town, paladin," he murmurs, not sounding pleased about it, "but let us at least hope it is something more worth our time than a nefarious wine-cartel."

"Extravagant cost?!  How rude!  It's not my problem you've not the coin to back your orders.  Not that I'd be serving it to you now even if you offered twenty-five."  The barkeep is clearly offended, an imposing and impressive sight in a woman of her stature.

"And don't think I didn't hear you, Mister Tin-Pants!  It's as well you've already paid board for the night 'cause you can have your beloved bath under some other roof than mine on the morrow.  Our economy is as good as it's been in years and our sheriff does a fine job keeping the local riff-raff in order."

Her anger subsides somewhat as she regards Zyphen, "Thank you, young man.  Finally someone with an ounce of sense.  Kepler's Vale comes all the way from the Dalelands and from there it's either caravan fees on the Black Road or import duties in Sembia.  I'll be lucky to make any money at all at the price I'm selling it."

"You're welcome to stay as you like, but I imagine you'll be wanting to accompany the Pastel fool."

Thereafter it becomes noticeable that Zyphen gets prompt, friendly service.  Cuaglar and Atalakis find themselves somehow overlooked whenever they try to catch the attention of a serving maid.  Fortunately, Atalakis' diplomatic manner goes some way towards recovering the situation, but nobody stops long enough to gossip.

Those staying the night - and that includes anyone who has stated they're having a bath :) - mark off 5sp if you're staying in the dormitory accommodation or 2gp if you get a private room.

[Private to Kanir: I forgot: You didn't see any horse yards, but the most likely place for those is a little further along the road towards the east gate.  There was one shop that looked like it might have magical supplies: Harkgupple's Alchemical Supplies and Aerated Drinks.]

Corven shakes his head at the barkeep's outburst.  Whispering towards Atalakis, he says, "It might be that you are correct, oh Multicolored Magister of Might.  Her reaction was quite strong for such an innocuous question - could she be hiding something perhaps?  As my grandfather would always say, 'Those who are quick to anger have something to hide'."

Yes, her response was most abrasive and unwarranted. Something dreadful must certainly be going on.

Cuaglar shrugged, and accepted the innkeeper's wrath placidly.  To him, it didn't matter.  It was like a child's temper tantrum.  He didn't really even need the wine; he was just getting a bottle to share, and be sociable.  Nevertheless, as Cuaglar left the bar he left his fee for his room, two gold coins (minted in Silverymoon) on the bar, right where anyone could see them. The innkeeper would have to be pretty quick to claim them.

The young man chuckles at "Mr. Tin-Pants" comment, but when he feels the heat of the angry glare, he quickly drops his smile and makes a stern face, as if not to condone such comment.

He himself is completely content with no-frill local stuff.  Perhaps some warm stew with cured meat and winter root vegetables, and local winter ale to take the chill out of the body as they've been travelling in the snow for past few days.  He does however go for a private room, and then announces to the group that he'll go around the town a little after a quick hot bath.

[Private to DM Fletch: So, want to go for shopping and then see if I can pick up a horse, pick up some spells, and maybe run into a dwarven cleric :D]

-K

Zyphen is indifferent to the improved treatment.  He will sit in a shadowy corner where he can see the doors, as earlier discussed, and pay for his private room.

After taking his bath, Kanir briefly returns to the common room.  He is intent on a shopping expedition.  Any takers?

Cuaglar looked over his equipment, pausing at his quiver.  He looked in surprise at all the arrows he had in there, including the enchanted arrows Zyphen had lent him.
"Well!  I thought I had used up a good many arrows.  I thought I was running short, but as it stands I'm probably good for now.  However, I think I'll go with you, Kweek, to stretch my legs.  I've travelled far, but not far enough to warrant lounging around all day in sloth in an inn." Cuaglar said, slinging his quiver over his shoulder again.

Zyphen will go shopping, to help move things along.  He is fairly certain that the Paladin could not get in life-threatening danger that quickly.

I think Atalakis then mentioned something about going to the other inns to "look for evil to smite" or some such.

----------------------------------
Cuaglar, Zyphen and Kanir

The first item on Kanir's shopping list is a horse.  So, being a sensible (?) sort he heads further east along the Evermoor Way until he finds the horseyards close to the east gate of the town.  There's a few different horse traders to choose from: Honest Handry' Horseyard; Jenovik's Horses and Tack; and Mennath's Stables.

OOC: Can I have a Handle Animal or Knowledge (nature) check and a Sense Motive check from each of you, please.
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Borovik (exit stage left) and Atalakis

Back at the inn, Borovik complains of feeling unwell and heads upstairs to his room.  Atalakis is about to put into practice his plan of scouring the other inns for rumours of evil deeds and the like when he is approached by the portly innkeeper.

"I'm sorry I yelled at you, love.  I'm a mite bit townproud, see, but the girls say you speak well and I'm sure you didn't mean to cause offence."

"If you are looking for good deeds to be doing or such like, I might have something for you and your friends.  I'd like the Sheriff to explain it since it's his idea, but I can send Nobby for him now and he'll be here soon enough."  She looks questioningly at Atalakis to see if the paladin likes the idea.

"I think you were right, Atalakis - this village is under the shadows of evil!"

"Z...Z...Z...Zyphen, you look like you know horses better than I do.  I'm looking for a fast, well-trained and easy to ride hors...se.  C...Can you choose them for me?"

OOC: I'm going to follow Zyphen's lead on this and let him talk to the horse (car) salesman.  If possible, I prefer my roll be Aiding Zyphen's roll for the Knowlege or Handle Animal (I have no ranks in either Knowledge: Nature or Handle Animal.  I'll roll D20, and list the bonuses).  I will use Sense Motive straight.

10:37, Today: Kanir rolled 8 using 1d20. Aiding Zyphen.  +3 for Knowledge skill, +0 for Handle Animal
10:39, Today: Kanir rolled 14 using 1d20+6. Sense Motive.

-K

OOC: You're right, Corven!  She stole Nobby from the Ankh-Morpork City Watch!  Or else Nob from the Prancing Pony in Bree...
And is it all right if I don't give Handle Animal and Sense Motive and such?  My modifiers are so low (especially in Sense Motive; I took the Honest trait for Roleplaying reasons) I might as well not bother.